A REFURBISHED play area designed by the late Winchcombe town councillor Gill Quinn is to be officially opened by her sons next month.

Mrs Quinn, who was the driving force behind the project at the King George V Playing Field in Mill Lane, Winchcombe, died in August, before the play area project was completed, after a 10-year battle with cancer.

As a trained architect she used her skills to design the play facilities which include swings and climbing equipment.

She was an active member of the town council for four years before stepping down in May due to her illness but remained instrumental in planning the layout up until her death.

Her husband Neil will be at the official opening on Saturday, January 7, along with their three sons Ruari, Martin and Aidan as well as the mayor and mayoress of Tewkesbury and members of the Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association.

Mr Quinn is proud of the impact his late wife had on the town.

He said: “She touched a lot of people’s lives. She was a very public-spirited person. When she was very ill she would still go to council meetings.

“Up to the week before she died she was still working out the planting around the town.

“She was still giving me orders about what was needed.

“Her real reason for joining the council was to try to make a difference to the environment in Winchcombe and the facilities for younger children.

“There wasn’t that much play equipment for children and she wanted to improve it.”

Ron Harrison, chairman of Winchcombe Town Council, said: “What you see there now started off as a design drawn by Gill.

“It will be something for her sons to remember their mum in a very nice way.

“It will be there for many years and will be a lasting tribute to Gill on the council.”